Hegseth Says Campaign Against Houthis Will be 'Unrelenting' Until Hostilities Cease
March 17, 2025 | By Matthew Olay, DOD News |
During a media interview yesterday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. military will continue to tactically engage Iranian-backed Houthis until they stop acting aggressively against U.S. ships in the region.
An aerial view of the Pentagon.
Hegseth commented on the topic following President Donald J. Trump's order for U.S. Central Command to launch multiple airstrikes against Houthis in Yemen, March 15, 2025.
"Freedom of navigation is basic; it's a core national interest," Hegseth said, adding that the current campaign is about restoring deterrents in the region in addition to freedom of navigation.
"The minute the Houthis say, 'We'll stop shooting at your ships [and] we'll stop shooting at your drones,' this campaign will end but, until then, it will be unrelenting," he continued.
Hegseth also said the airstrikes were meant to draw Iran's attention.
https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/4122357/hegseth-says-campaign-against-houthis-will-be-unrelenting-until-hostilities-cea/